Recap: Hany Mukhtar leads Nashville to statement win over Austin FC

NASHVILLE, TN - Hany Mukhtar scored a brace. Nashville SC kept a shutout. Blink twice if you’ve heard that before.

The XI

Gary Smith made three changes to the side that beat Colorado midweek. Alex Muyl came in for suspended Randall Leal and Dax McCarty gave Aníbal Godoy a rest, while Jack Maher made way for Dave Romney.

On the pitch

The first half was even, if quiet, with neither side able to create more than half chances after an hour-long lightning delay put a damper on proceedings.

After the break, though, Nashville SC were dominant. Walker Zimmerman open the scoring with a trademark thundering header, smashing the ball past Brad Stuver for his third goal of the year.

With the lead, Nashville didn’t sit back and defend, as they were prone to do for much of the season. They continued to push for a second, and it came through their MVP candidate. Hany Mukhtar got his first of the night in the 81st minute, turning in the box before firing a shot low into the bottom corner.

His second came on a blistering counter, with Dax McCarty finding Shaq Moore, who played a simple cross to Mukhtar in the box for his 21st goal of the year, putting him at the top of the golden boot standings.

The big picture

Another week, another win for Nashville SC. Since their loss 2-1 loss to Minnesota, they’ve won four consecutive games, scoring 14 goals and conceding just one. They’re now up to fourth place in the Western Conference table, one point behind third placed FC Dallas.

They have another match with playoff implications next week, taking on LA Galaxy next Saturday at Geodis Park before traveling to Austin for the return leg. Nashville have won four consecutive matches for the first time in club history, and will look to make it five and build on their home form.